That is one ugly hat. But when worn by an Avs player, fans will always know it’s a beautiful sight.
The hardhat, a new Avs tradition started by captain Gabe Landeskog, went to Ryan O’Reilly for his game-winning goal tonight in the Avs’ 3-2 win over Chicago.

It could have gone to Semyon Varlamov too, that’s for sure. He made 37 saves for the Avs for his 100th career victory – becoming the fourth Russian goalie in history to get that many in the NHL. Varly was definitely the difference for the Avs, outplaying Finn Antti Raanta at the other end.

But even though the Avalanche were outshot 39-29, I thought they were the better team and deserved the win. They were better in the first period, and after Matt Duchene made it 2-0 in the first minute of the second, I thought the Avs sat back a tad. The Avs’ penalty kill was good tonight too, keeping the third-best PP in the league to 0-for-3.

The Avs’ power play wasn’t all that great tonight really, but O’Reilly came through just when things might have started to really go sideways for the Avs. Right as Andrew Shaw’s interference penalty was about to run out, which would have made it a 5-on-4 situation and momentum likely firmly back on Chicago’s side, desperation kicked in and O’Reilly beat the clock with his rebound putback of Matt Duchene’s corner shot.

If the Blackhawks kill that 5-on-3 and it stays a 2-1 game, I think it would have essentially been Chicago’s game to lose from there. It didn’t happen.

Other thoughts on the game:
– The fourth line, with newcomers Brad Malone and Paul Carey, was very good. Malone got a goal, his first of the year. Frankly, I like his game right now than a couple of others’ lately and think he should stay in the lineup somehow.

– Memo to Avs fans: if you don’t want your building to look like a home game for the other guys from now on, go in early in the season and buy up those StubHub lower bowl seats that all those Chicago fans beat you to for this game. Seriously, it felt like the United Center in there much of the night.

– Duchene was tremendous. Had a goal, assist and five shots on net and outplayed Jonathen Toews.

Landeskog made some huge defensive plays too! He’s really growing into his role as the captain of this team, making huge plays that don’t always show up on the score sheet.

Chris DeMott

Ok, so now is it safe to say that this is a playoff team? I mean, if they go .500 from here on out they will have 107 points… Nah, I don’t want to jinx them. But seriously, what a great season this has been! Thank you Josh Kronke for bringing in Joe and Patrick and “getting the band back together” so to speak. Thank you Patrick for coming back and pulling that amazing coaching staff together and Thank you to all of the Avalanche players for buying in, working hard and believing that team execution will win games on any and almost every given night. As far as I am concerned, the Avalanche have already had a successful season. But, the question remains. Have they shocked the hockey world? Not yet…

tigervixxxen

Yes this is a playoff team. Even if they don’t earn another single point they could be in the playoffs and realistically 95 about assures them.

I really feel like this team is more than playing well. They are not perfect but there is a magic to it. Feels a lot like Rocktober. Different circumstances obviously but something special is happening here. The most exciting thing is this team is going to be together for a long time.

The invasion of Chicago fans is annoying but I understand it. It’s all those Midwesterners that love the Midwest so much they have to move here. There is nothing anyone can do to keep them out. It’s like the Broncos can’t keep Steelers fans away. They’ll pay anything to go to the games.

Smell the Glove

Despite the favorable regular season record against the Hawks these guys will be on a different level in the playoffs. Hopefully the Avs can elevate their game to match them. Still a better task than playing the Blues in the first round.

And yes the Chicago fans have been coming out for years now to see the Hawks. There are a lot of us Chicago transplants around. What a difference a decade makes. I used to sit with the crickets at the United Center (and Chicago Stadium) watching that team. This generation of Avs fans may have a similar experience looking back 5-10 years from now.

fforsberg

Lots of Chicago fans, uh I mean bandwagoners at Pepsi Center. It easy to cheer when your team wins 2 cups in 4 years. But believe me when I tell you that there weren’t as many fans in the late 90’s all the way thru the mid 00’s.

Beezy

As far as the crowd being almost 50-50 Avs/Blackhawks fans, we see this all the time in Colorado. The same goes at Coors field for Rockies games. Seems everyone is a transplant in this beautiful state, including myself. It looks the same with any of the popular teams known for a good hockey following. Minnesota Wild fans fill the place, Philly fills the place, that’s just gonna happen but I strongly agree WE Avs fans need to do our part to cut down the away team population in OUR building. The Pepsi Center is our house!! Let’s own it!!! Go Avs Go

Avaholic

Amazing game. If the Avs beat the Ducks tomorrow night in regulation, and the Bruins and Pens get 1 point or less in their games, the Avs will jump past Anaheim, Pittsburg and Boston for second in the West and the League!

mcnichols

hey dater, can you quiet that background locker room noise a bit, those boys are havin entirely toooooo much fun. wooohoooo GOAVSGO

tj

As an avs fan in Wyoming it is hard to watch all the blackhawks or other teams fans in the pepsi center. I wish I could make it down and add another burgundy and blue jersey in the stands. Let’s hope the playoff don’t look like this.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.